UPM Specialty Materials has extended its barrier paper technology — originally developed for packaging papers — into label face papers for the first time with the launch of UPM Asendo 80.

The new 80 gsm basis weight paper brings established, PFAS-free grease-resistance technology directly to labelling applications, helping converters navigate regulatory shifts and access higher-value end-use markets.

Regulatory compliance and PFAS-free safety

The launch comes in response to regulatory pressures across Europe, notably the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which introduced restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging that became applicable across the European Union on August 12, 2026.

To support converters serving food-contact and grease-sensitive applications — such as olive oil packaging — UPM Specialty Materials ensures no PFAS are added at any stage of production. Each paper grade undergoes third-party testing by independent laboratories, providing converters with full regulatory documentation. Additionally, UPM Asendo 80 complies with FDA and German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) standards for direct food contact and is available as FSC or PEFC certified.

Technical performance 

Engineered specifically for label conversion, UPM Asendo 80 offers versatile technical capabilities:

• Print & adhesive compatibility: tailored for UV Flexo and UV-inkjet printing, and compatible with a broad range of adhesive formulations.
• 80 gsm basis weight: optimised for standard face paper label formats, helping converters transition grease-resistant barrier performance into high-demand labelling sectors.
• Technical support & testing: label converters can collaborate with UPM’s technical team for custom design guidance and request paper samples to validate performance under live production conditions.

“Bringing our barrier technology from packaging into UPM Asendo 80 gives label converters access to grease resistance that has been validated over years of use in demanding packaging applications,” said Kirsi Lahtela, product manager at UPM Specialty Materials. “It also helps converters grow and win by opening the door to higher-value label applications.”